it appears certain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it appears certain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong belief or conclusion based on available evidence or observations. Example: "After reviewing the data, it appears certain that the project will meet its deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

However, regardless of the specific mechanisms and even whether the predicted psiRNA systems acts on RNA or on DNA, it appears certain that its main function is RNAi-mediated defense against alien replicons invading archaea and bacteria.

Biology Direct

Now it appears certain that they will end up working.

The New York Times - Sports

It appears certain the 27-year-old will announce his international retirement.

The Guardian - Sport

It appears certain that these contacts were known about and encouraged by responsible American officials.

The New York Times

For Interlagos, it appears certain Red Bull will now switch to the new spec alternator.

Independent

To begin with, it appears certain that these attacks will force us to re-define our national defense priorities.

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

When Kodak finally shutdown its largest research and production facility in Rochester, known as Kodak Park, it appeared certain that the Kodak brand I grew up with was gone.

Forbes

Once deemed impossible, by 1954 it appeared certain the elusive four-minute barrier would be broken.

The Guardian - Sport

After the June primary it appeared certain that Comptroller Mario Procaccino would win.

The New Yorker

As the United States is the dominant power in the organization, it appeared certain that the administration had played a central role in the adoption of the resolution.

The New York Times

To make matters worse, it appeared certain that the French government, led by the socialist Guy Mollet, had known about - and approved - the methods.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it appears certain" to convey a strong conclusion based on evidence, but be mindful that absolute certainty is rare. Acknowledge potential uncertainties elsewhere in your writing to maintain credibility.

Common error

Avoid using "it appears certain" when evidence is weak or ambiguous. Overstating certainty can undermine your argument if contradictory evidence emerges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it appears certain" functions as an epistemic marker, indicating the speaker's or writer's assessment of the certainty of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it appears certain" is a useful tool for expressing a strong belief or conclusion based on available evidence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and broad applicability, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts. While powerful, it's important to use this phrase judiciously, ensuring the level of certainty aligns with the strength of the supporting evidence. Alternatives like "it is very likely" or "it is almost certain" may be more appropriate when expressing a slightly lower degree of confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is virtually certain

Emphasizes near absoluteness, strengthening the sense of certainty.

it is almost certain

Indicates a very high degree of probability, slightly less absolute.

it is highly probable

Uses a more formal tone to express a strong likelihood.

it is very likely

Offers a slightly less emphatic expression of probability.

it is bound to happen

Implies inevitability due to circumstances or natural course.

the odds are high

Uses an idiomatic expression to suggest a strong probability.

it is a foregone conclusion

Suggests the outcome is already decided or inevitable.

it's practically a given

Indicates something can be assumed with a high degree of confidence.

one can safely assume

Suggests a reasonable basis for assumption, reducing absolute certainty.

indications suggest strongly

Focuses on suggestive evidence rather than a guaranteed outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "it appears certain" in a sentence?

Use "it appears certain" to express a high degree of confidence in a conclusion based on available evidence. For example, "After analyzing the data, "it appears certain" that the new policy will reduce costs".

What are some alternatives to "it appears certain"?

You can use alternatives like "it is very likely", "it is almost certain", or "it is highly probable" depending on the level of confidence you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "it seems certain" and "it appears certain"?

While both phrases express a strong belief, "it appears certain" suggests a conclusion drawn from observable evidence, whereas "it seems certain" might be based more on a general impression. They are often interchangeable, but "it appears certain" emphasizes the role of observation.

When should I avoid using "it appears certain"?

Avoid using "it appears certain" when the evidence is weak or when there is a significant possibility of an alternative outcome. In such cases, phrases like "it seems possible" or "it is likely" might be more appropriate.